Kefalonia Snorkeling

23/05/2023

14/02/2023

Love is not just in the air, love is everywhere! 😊Hard to say if these two moray eels (Muraena helena) are in a ..womance, bromance or indeed a couple in love, but given the day and the ..cheek to cheek cuddles, probably we have to do with a serious “you are my Valentine” case😂 It is always a spectacle for snorkelers discovering that marines species show affection and socialize. Of course, no matter how romantic this might look to a snorkeler, for species that are included in moray’s diet, rather than a “Happy Valentine’s Day” this is a typical case of “Double the trouble”!🤣😬

05/02/2023

“Snorkeling as a fine art of flying at the most calm and crystal water”. Sapphire Ionian Sea is where you can be weightless and explore the cultural and natural wealth of Mediterranean: vivid, reefs, colorful marine life, an abundance of biodiversity, ancient wrecks and relics in the shallow emerald water. So what is your excuse for not joining?

15/01/2023

“Who’s afraid to enter my cave?” 🐲In the shadows of underwater caves and crevices, along with other colorful life, predatory crustaceans ambush their prey. Some of them are little known like this squat lobster (Galathea strigosa) and for a good reason; there are not fished commercially and are hard to spot if not knowing where to look. Their impressively colored armor, of super bright orange with transverse blue stripes would have been a liability in the open but it is an advantage in the dark shadows as make them invisible. But then again, for snorkelers and uw photographers, that contrary to common belief know that there is so much biodiversity and color in the Mediterranean, provides the most bright colors and impressive pattern. Oh,and the most fearsome looks! But then again this mighty lurking monster can only become a couple of inches big!🤣 Photo credit T.Beriatos

05/01/2023

Later than at land, winter finally comes underwater; it is the time that leaves of Neptune grass (Posidonia oceanica) that started becoming brown at autumn, now loose all their color and become almost white before they die and fall. So might be no snow underwater but one cannot complain that the scenery is not “white”. And soon the leaves will fall and be washed away in shallow waters and beaches, with most people thinking of it as nuisance and rubbish, but the thought is that are a valuable part of the ecosystem, providing nutrients, food and shelter to microfauna of the shallows and coastal zone, a true contributor to the biodiversity and a great indicator of clean and healthy seas. And make no mistake, in few weeks, as this “snow” goes away, the new, bright green leaves will start growing to be ready for the sunlight and burst of marine life of the spring!

12/12/2022

kefalonia_snorkeling
Somewhere in the Pacific? Polynesia? Great Barrier Reef? Tropical waters? Just the Kakava Shoals offshore Skala Kefalonia😊. This island paradise, not only has the most amazing beaches but also its incredible geology creates wonders like this extended shallow reef, a couple of miles off the southeast tip of Kefalonia. Broken rocks, posidonia seagrass meadows, little u/w caves and crevices create a habitant that not only holds all possible biodiversity of Mediterranean ecosystems but as a trap to sailors for 3000 years also is the final resting place of numerous ancient and modern wrecks. And yet more impressive, the natural and cultural treasures of this snorkeler’s paradise are accessible not just for divers but also for all snorkelers to discover. So you will pass your chance discovering a 2200 yo wreck? Find more in www.bluemantadiving.gr

05/11/2022

Perfect camouflage does not exist!🤣 Well this Small Red Scorpionfish (Scorpaena notata) deserves some praise for trying! Especially considering that lucks the camouflage skills of cephalopods and this Orange-Red Encrusting Sponge (Crambe crambe) on the background is a challenge to much. But still just two species create such a palette of bright red in a tiny corner of Ionian Sea. Still believe Mediterranean has no color?😜

05/11/2022

Porto Skala, Kefalonia

🇬🇷 #κεφαλλονιά #Κεφαλονια

29/05/2022

A great time for snorkeling, a great time to make new friends! Summer is here with calm and crystal clear seas, without many boats and swimmers so marine species bounce back close to coastline to the enjoyment of snorkelers. And especially for Loggerheard sea turtles (Caretta caretta), is time to muster for their mating season! So privileged snorkelers have the chance to sea them in the colorful shoals around Skala and Katelios - always respecting environmental best practices for encountering marine life without harassing or touching the animals and in the most possible sustainable ways. So even if snorkeling without a certified operator is better to respect the turtles, avoid touching or chasing them- many times you will discover that they may choose getting close to make news friends! 😊

22/05/2022

Want to turn the crystal clear waters of Ionian Sea into a safe playground for young u/w explorers? Let them go snorkeling -and with a certified operator and experienced guides, snorkeling is not only safe and comfortable but also a fun environmental awareness activity that introduces into the wonders and biodiversity or our Blue Planet. 🌍🦭🦀🐡 Either within a group or in a tailor made exclusive trip, it’s not just a great family activity but young snorkelers have so much fun!

22/05/2022

In Ionian Sea, early spring is the time when waters are crystal cold but also crystal clear! And sun is back to highlight all u/w colors. So it’s a great time for a stroll in the sunshine for this Five-spotted Wrasse (Symphodus roissali) to inspect its marine forest of brown algae (Cystoseira mediterranea). And a good chance to put its own impressive and complex colors in good use to camouflage itself as spring is also the favorite time for hungry predatory fish to forage in the shallows for a most needed meal! The foliage color pattern on this wrasse would embarrass any camouflage designer and the colors pallet any of its tropical cousins. And most important would confuse all predators to survive another day for another u/w stroll! 😎 photo credit T.Beriatos

22/05/2022

For a snorkeler is enough to submerge its face in the water to feel like flying. But is even more impressive from a ..fish view (or an u/w photographer’s 😂). Crystal clear water and play of light makes freediving snorkelers part of a visual illusion as if floating in space. Which couldn’t be more accurate as they explore a vast world where gravity is no concern to limitless motion. # #🇬🇷

17/03/2022

You are dreaming of visiting Shipwreck beach in Zante avoiding crowds? Or to discover the breathtaking coastline, secluded beaches and vast biodiversity of Ionian Sea,
visit more seaside attractions like Dias or Vardiani islets, swim at a private beach despite visiting at pick of the season, snorkel through caverns, being eco-guided for a chance to see turtles and monk seals, play shooting u/w photos and videos and much more? Kefalonia Snorkeling by Blue Manta Diving & Aquanautic Club can take there with our comfortable and safe RIBs and guided by our experienced, certified Snorkeling Guides.
So, let’s create unique and unforgettable experiences together this summer.
For inquires and bookings you can contact [email protected] or +306981449295 (also available on Viber & WhatsApp).

23/01/2022

Sometimes going with the flow may be the key to success! Take this from the master of survival, the . Not only they inhabit all for almost 700 million years, pre-dating mollusks, and and probably being the first multi-organ group on , but also turned to be top of . Having few natural enemies themselves (effectively only and - ok and humans for some species..) can survive in all marine environments and , even where too hostile for other species, by just keeping it simple: their beautiful bodies are 95% made of water and allow themselves to with the currents. And doing this dancing gracefully and mesmerizingly bellow the waves, like this Fried Egg jellyfish (Cotylorhiza tuberculata) in the sea of Skala, Kefalonia 😍 So perhaps one should follow the example of this evolutionary triumphant creature and let drift to a dance bellow the waves! 🐠

10/06/2021

Takes a ...diver’s view to realize that snorkelers “fly” on the surface, where two worlds meet. And only takes submerging your face in the sea. Once you lose sight of the sky another view opens to the amazing underwater world! 💙

04/05/2021

Kefalonia has an amazing coastline, marine life and u/w landscape for one to discover. We may provide Guided Snorkeling by boat at Blue Manta Diving & Aquanautic Club, but there are lots of sites easily accessible for everyone to visit. So here are some tips or what we call “Snorkeling Paths”; some itineraries we have explored and you can easily follow and discover the colorful u/w world.
So here are some:

1. Mounda Beach (Skala). Enter the water where the road to Mounda ends and head left (North). The water is shallow, and rocks are the projection of the layers seen out of the water. At some point you see a small, unsealed road ending up at the seaside and putting this on your back head to some rocks rising almost up to the surface. Usually there are marked by buoys; around there you can find metal parts (look for the bathtub!) of a boat wrecked in the shallows, and on top of the rocks fragments of ancient amphora embedded on the rock. Carry on towards the tip of the cape (South) and follow the coast to return. Along your way will be seeing patches of rock and Neptune seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) – the equivalent of coral reef for Mediterranean as it supports all marine life and is a nursery for small fish and marine creatures. The site is full of schools of small black damselfish (or their neon blue juveniles!) families of graceful and colorful parrotfish, mullets and all kinds of wrasses shoals of all kinds of breams (look for the golden plated Cow breams) and …invasive spinefoots. Keep your eyes open for octopuses within the rocks and Loggerhead sea turtles in the distance.
2. Limenia Beach (in between Skala and Poros). Enter the water at the right end of the beach, having the small dry stream on your back. Head right (South) following the coastline. At the footsteps of the rock there is Neptune seagrass (Posidonia oceanica). Damselfish, parrotfish, wrasses, breams and grey mullets are feeding on the algae and sea plants. Where there are shady holes on the rock, colorful sponges and false corals find …darkness to flourish, but you will have probably to skin dive for seeing them. However, small dusky groupers, bright red cardinal fish and moray eels stick their heads out of the shelters to watch the visitors. Most probably you will be able to spot an invasive lionfish as conditions at this site favor them. If lucky you may see a school of amberjacks sweeping the tip of the cape (especially in May and June) and if you go further around the cape and light conditions are good you may even manage seeing a broken small metal wreck that rests in a bit of deep water, there. Don’t forget that a bit further down the coast is Kako Lagadi small beach and you could even access, especially if you use flippers.
3. Megali Ammos Beach (Minies, next to the airport). Enter the water at the right side of the beach and head right (North) until the opening on the rocks allows you to see the other beach. From there follow the rocky seabed across to the islet seen few hundred meters to the west- or you can skip this part and head directly to the islet. Explore around it and insist to the north side where the bottom is rocky and shallow to some extent. The shallows attract all kind of wrasses and breams, red mullets and damselfish, parrotfish, groupers and more. Keep your eyes open for octopuses and slipper lobsters camouflaged within the rocks and if lucky for some foraging Giant Triton shell. Sponges and sea urchins complete the Mediterranean u/w panorama.
4. Lagadakia Beach (Lixouri). Enter the water at the right side of the small pebble beach and head right (West). Carry on past the next small beach and start exploring the rocky coastline. Keep an eye for a pile of stones on top of the rocks marking the entrance of a cavern- or it is easy to look for the entrance itself. You can safely swim to enter. The opening is shallow and in the middle of the wide cavern you also can step on the smooth rock. You are standing in the middle of an impressive dome, created by fresh water curving the limestone for millennia. On your way there and back, you will see patches of seagrass and rocks, inhabited by parrotfish, damselfish and wrasses. Water is a bit chill as fresh water is coming from the land, but this discomfort to small fish (and for you probably!) brings occasionally schools of Mediterranean barracudas or red snappers that take advantage of thermocline to surprise their prey.

Tips and warnings

1. Make sure you don’t snorkel further that you could comfortably and safely return from. Also keep an eye on changing weather conditions. Although these itineraries are within areas with safe and smooth conditions, if you feel being drifted by current or winds picking up, play it safe and return.
2. It is highly recommended to carry a highly visible swimming buoy with you so not only you are spotted by boats but also you have a buoyancy aid to use for rest. In general, is safer to stay close to the rocks of the coast. If you hear the sound of a boat, rise your head out of the water to spot the boat and do not hesitate to wave with the buoy, signal, splash or shout to state your presence if you feel the boat is coming close. Carrying a whistle on your buoy is a great idea.
3. There are no really dangerous marine creatures in the sea of Kefalonia, as long as you avoid touch or step on a sea urchin or touch a pink jelly fish. But having a mask on, not only gives you the opportunity to see in time the jelly fish but also to admire it. Another thing to avoid is stepping on a weever on a sandy beach, but is really very rare for them to come out where you can stand, as most sandy beaches form a step as you walk in. Last but not least, avoid getting too close and definitely do not touch a lionfish- although it will probably keep its distance from you anyway. For any of the above, in case of injury do not hesitate to seek medical advice.
3. When buying snorkeling gear choose reputable manufacturers and do not hesitate to invest money for your safety and comfort. Special mention to Full Face snorkeling masks. There are comfortable and great for snorkeling, but if made with a poor design are very dangerous as accumulate carbon dioxide. Usually this happens with cheaply made replicas, where a manufacturer copies a mask without realizing the safety functions of the design. As for this issue, we would gladly provide further information in private communication.
4. Keep in mind that removing ancient relics from the bottom of the sea is illegal and can get you in trouble. In most sites you will be able to spot parts of pottery or small clay fragments, curved by the waves. These belong to amphoras roughly 2500-1500 years old. You are most welcomed removing plastic garbage though – as long as you don’t put yourself in peril to collect.

Needless to say, you can ask for any information or tips you need in order to explore on your own and enjoy the breathtaking coastline of Kefalonia with safety. For us is important to raise awareness on the magnificent but fragile marine ecosystem and introduce people to the u/w world. Many more will follow soon, (and your feedback will be most appreciated, as in cooperation with local authorities, there are plans for these u/w paths to be signposted to ease navigation and wildlife watching for visitors).

So, get yourself ready- summer is coming!

10/03/2021

10/03/2021